On January 24, 2025, the UNESCO Representation in Mexico, in collaboration with Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), convened a dialogue focused on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to address educational inequalities and foster inclusive development. The event brought together education leaders, teachers, specialists, and technology sector representatives to discuss how AI can drive educational advancement.
This conversation was part of a global series of events marking International Day of Education 2025, held in cities such as Paris and New York. The global theme this year emphasizes the need to strengthen teachers, students, and curricula in order to preserve human autonomy in a rapidly automating world. It advocates for investments in AI education to equip both educators and students with the tools necessary to effectively navigate these technological advancements.
The event began with opening remarks from Mario Delgado, Secretary of Public Education in Mexico, and Andrés Morales, UNESCO’s Representative in Mexico. Their speeches underscored the importance of AI in reshaping education while highlighting Mexico’s commitment to this transformative process.
Morales referenced a major announcement earlier this week by global technology giants, revealing a $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure. This investment is expected to contribute 3.5% to global GDP by 2030. Morales reaffirmed UNESCO’s support for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s vision of a “humanistic and scientific Republic”—a vision that aligns with Mexico’s educational priorities under the SEP.
He also noted that UNESCO has been working for nearly a decade to address the societal implications of AI, emphasizing that the discussion should remain rooted in humanistic, philosophical, ethical, and pedagogical considerations. UNESCO’s initiatives include global frameworks such as the 2019 Beijing Consensus on Education and AI and the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
This dialogue comes at a pivotal moment for Mexico, coinciding with the development of the National Development Plan for 2025-2030, which will shape the country’s education policies. UNESCO also introduced a set of 11 educational proposals in line with its recent global education discussions. These recommendations are compiled in the publication “Transforming Education to Achieve Sustainable Development and a Future of Peace, Justice, and Prosperity,” a roadmap for Mexico’s education system from 2024 to 2030.
In his address, Mario Delgado highlighted the importance of prioritizing communities with fewer resources within the National Education System and the New Mexican School. He drew a parallel with José Vasconcelos, who in 1921 leveraged the emerging technology of the radio to expand education in Mexico.
“We now face the novelty of Artificial Intelligence. The question is whether we remain passive in the face of inevitable technological advances, or whether we proactively strategize to use these advances to improve education,” Delgado remarked.
He emphasized the potential of AI to enhance teaching efficiency, develop better pedagogical strategies, and focus on human and socio-emotional aspects of learning.
To further explore AI’s role in education, Delgado announced the creation of an AI observatory in collaboration with the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (ANUIES). He called on UNESCO to join this initiative, stressing the importance of staying informed about global AI best practices and preventing the misuse of AI in educational settings.
This call to action is particularly urgent, as UNESCO’s latest data shows that only 10% of global educational institutions have formal oversight on AI usage. In addition, UNESCO released its 2024 AI Readiness Assessment Report, highlighting the growing integration of digital technologies into education and the increasing number of AI postgraduate graduates. The report underscores the need for a national strategy to navigate the rapid transformations occurring in both the education and labor sectors.
The event’s discussions mark a critical moment in Mexico’s efforts to integrate AI into its educational infrastructure, ensuring that technological advancements are leveraged to benefit all learners equitably.
